How MBMF Helps The Muslim Community Grow in Singapore
In the 1970s, Singapore’s rapid development led to Muslims being resettled in HDB flats. These new estates needed mosques, but traditional fundraising methods weren’t effective. A system was devised to efficiently raise money from Muslim workers through the Central Provident Fund Board’s collection system, also known as the MBMF.
The MBMF, a community fund in Singapore, supports the building and renovation of mosques and religious education initiatives. The government approves it as a Self-Help Group (SHG) operating on community giving. Muslim workers in Singapore, including foreign workers and permanent residents, must contribute to the MBMF.
In addition to the MBMF, there are other SHGs in Singapore, such as the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), and Eurasian Association (EA). These SHGs promote social cohesion and inclusiveness in Singapore, ensuring no one is left out. They aim to uplift and empower their respective communities by providing assistance and support in education, employment, and social services.
Why Was MBF Established?
Initially, the Mosque Building Fund (MBF) was created to construct mosques in every new town.
Later on, its scope expanded to support MENDAKI’s educational and social programs for the community. As a result, the fund was renamed the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF), with a refined role to support religious education initiatives, upgrade and revitalise older mosques, and build new ones.
Initially, the Mosque Building Fund set the minimum monthly contribution at S$0.50 per person. In 1977, it was revised to S$1 and then further increased to S$2 in 1991. The contributions support constructing and upgrading of mosques, religious education initiatives, and MENDAKI’s programmes.
In 1995, they put into effect higher contribution rates for individuals earning more than S$1,000 per month. These revisions were necessary to meet the needs of the growing Muslim population and the rising education and construction costs.
Significance of MBF Today
Fast forward to today, the MBMF plays a crucial role in supporting the construction of new mosques, enhancing older ones, and promoting religious education initiatives. Meanwhile, MENDAKI continues to focus on empowering and uplifting Malay and Muslim families through their educational and social programs.
| Total Monthly Wage of Muslim Employees | Current Monthly Contribution | New Rate Change | Revised Monthly Contribution |
| < $1,000 | $2.00 | + $1.00 | $3.00 |
| > $1,000 to $2,000 | $3.50 | + $1.00 | $4.50 |
| > $2,000 to $3,000 | $5.00 | + $1.50 | $6.50 |
| > $3,000 to $4,000 | $12.50 | + $2.50 | $15.00 |
| > $4,000 to $6,000 | $16.00 | + $3.50 | $19.50 |
| > $6,000 to $8,000 | $16.00 | + $6.00 | $22.00 |
| > $8,000 to $10,000 | $16.00 | + $8.00 | $24.00 |
| > $10,000 | $16.00 | + $10.00 | $26.00 |
To grow as a prosperous country, everyone is responsible for contributing and improving living standards in the community. As a result, all working Muslims in Singapore need to contribute to the community fund. This includes permanent residents and foreign workers.
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